RE: Setting up exchange server

Hi Stuart,

Yes, if they're trying to sell you pcAnywhere then it's pretty obvious they
are not that skilled in SBS setups as VPN and RWW would allow you remote
access without the need for 3rd party software - I now use them all the time,
don't know how I managed without it! By all means if you want to revert to
your P2P network then go ahead, it's just a shame you've been put off a great
product by people more concerned with making money than looking after your
business needs (unfortunately we've all encountered these idiots at some
stage). If you ever decide to try again with SBS then come back to this
newsgroup and you'll pretty much find all the answers you need to setup your
network with secure remote access and safe data backups, all bundled in with
SBS.

Regards Colin.

"Stuart Keen" wrote:

Thanks Colin. I thought getting in someone would 'get it done right'.
Basically, my main priorities were to have safe data (be able to back it up)
and to remote access the files. For the later, they wanted to sell me
Symantec PC Anywhere whereas I though SBS2003R2 was quite able to do this
itself if the Clients run XPPro as opposed to XPHome. Regarding the data
backup, the server came with Symantec Backup Exec 10d Small Business Server
Protection Suite. They told me to check the day after their visit that that
the backup was either 'complete' or 'complete with errors'. When I checked,
it said 'Failed'; not an option I was expecting..... and one which they
explained to be due to the software not being able to address open files and
that they would have to take the software off.

There are other issues relating to reasons why they couldn't set up SMTP
without ReverseDNS on my broadband line. Setting up new POP3 addresses
without setting up diversions from domain hosts.

The final straw was when they said the whole thing was due to them having to
set up a server not supplied by them and that they could not control what was
supplied. I agree in principle with this, but if the server was so wrong, I
would have thought experience would have told them to do a clean install.

I am somewhat jaundiced by my whole experience which bears no relation to
the experience I was expecting after reading the Microsoft website.
Computers are not my business; they are just a tool to achieve the ends, but
one which is so essential and if not working correctly not only an
inconvience but an expensive liability.

I am in the UK, but I have spent so much of my own time on this, I am
cutting my losses now before I waste more time and money. Do you know
whether there is a protocol for selling computers (standards for wiping data
or the OS licence)?

"Colin" wrote:

Hi Stuart,

Sounds like you have been ripped off by 'experts/consultants' who don't
really know what they are doing. Personally, I'd recommend you stick with
your SBS setup but get it done right. Are you in the UK ?

Regards Colin.

"Stuart Keen" wrote:

Hi. If it helps, I have tried to do the same thing. The server I have runs
SBS2003R2 and the client PC's both run XP Pro. The best advice I can give is
(if you have only a working knowledge of computers) is not to: Stick with
what works! The Dell server I bought was delivered with a damaged CoA and
Dell were far from helpful.

I tried to set it up myself because I was told by many people that SBS2003R2
is easy. The system ran irratically and in the end I called in some
specialist IT consultants. They sent 2 technicians for a day and even now
the VPN does not work, sometimes a Z:\ drive is shown and the Back-up
software does not work. Also, all the Client PC's have new desktops. I was
passed from pillar to post with software blaming hardware and vice-versa.

This forum is great, but there is only so many times you can ask and I found
some of the replies meant little to me.

So if you have to go to a server, get someone it to do everthing. My
experiences are such that I am selling the Server and going back to what I
know - all in a waste of about £1,200.

Good luck.

"Jean Ewing" wrote:

We are planning to move from an ad-hoc network to a SBS managed network in my
office. In preperation, I changed my ISP (Zen - UK) which gives me a range of
8 IP addresses, registered a domain name (ewingandco.co.uk) and ordered an
eval copy of SBS 2003 while waiting Dell to deliver our server.

The final setup will be as follows:
ISP <--> ROUTER (Netgear DG834) <--> (ext. nic) SBS (int. nic) <--> Switch
<--> 2 XP Pro clients

I am able to make changes to DNS records for the domain I registered and I
can ask my ISP to setup any records required. Could you give me an idiots'
guide what changes I need to make to use Exchange for sending and receiving
emails? Many thanks


.

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